The World of W.E.B. Du Bois: A Quotation Sourcebook

by Meyer Weinberg

Overview

W.E.B. Du Bois was one of the leading activist men of letters in 20th-century America. Du Bois organized, protested, laid out programs, petitioned, and raised questions of long-term strategy and short-term tactics. He wrote detailed scholarly investigations, Souls of Black Folk and Black Reconstruction among them, as well as popular current articles. He was a commanding speaker and a prodigious correspondent. And yet, it was not until the 1980s that his complete writings became available.

The World of W.E.B. Du Bois was created to provide a short jourbaney through his views on virtually all aspects of 20th-century life. More than 1,000 quotations from his published writings and correspondence are provided. These are grouped into 19 topical and one miscellaneous chapter. Each quote begins with a heading designed to summarize the main sense of the quotation. A subject index provides additional access to the ideas of this complex figure. Essential reading for all involved in American race relations and intellectual history and American and Black Studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313286193
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/30/1992
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

MEYER WEINBERG is Professor Emeritus at the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies, University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He is the author or compiler of numerous works dealing with education and race/ethnicity issues.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Through a Personal Prism
The Trouble I've Seen
Mother Africa
Education
Racism
Working Class
Forced Labor
Ruling and Other Classes
Women
Ideals and Realities
Literature
Reform, Radicalism, and Revolution
Christianity
Jews
White People
World Economy and Politics
War and Peace
Some Other Countries
Politics
General
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

The major thoughts, ideas, predictions, and judgments from DuBois's voluminous published and unpublished writings have been selected, arranged, classified, and indexed in this work. Following an introductory overview of the life of this controversial educator, journalist, and civil rights leader, quotations are grouped under 20 broad chapters, e.g., working class, politics, and racism, then alphabetically arranged under relevant headings. Quotations in "War and Peace,'' for example, range from "armament'' to "World War II.'' While most quotes deal with the situation of African Americans, DuBois's observations over seven decades embody a broad range of social issues. Most selections adequately convey DuBois's opinions; however, as they are taken out of context, a few may leave the reader bewildered as to their intent and/or relevance. Fortunately, the original sources of all quotes are meticulously cited. This compilation by an emeritus black studies academician is recommended for race relations and intellectual history collections.-- Stanley P. Hodge, Ball State Univ. Lib., Muncie, Ind.

Library Journal

Du Bois (1868-1963) was one of the most prolific visionaries in 20th- century America, and yet it was not until the 1980s that his complete writings became available. Given the breadth of his interests, this volume was created to provide a relatively short journey through his views on virtually all aspects of 20th-century life. Some 1,000 quotations are provided, grouped into 20 subject areas. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"Most valuable to students seeking to sample the wealth of ideas in Du Bois's vast body of writing. Scholars will also benefit by easily locating sources for Du Bois's views on an impressive variety of topics. Because Weinberg has drawn extensively from the unpublished writings of Du Bois, students and scholars alike will be exposed to sources that are not easily accessible otherwise."—Journal of American History

"The major thoughts, ideas, predictions, and judgments from Du Bois's voluminous published and unpublished writings have been selected, arranged, classified, and indexed in this work. . . . While most quotes deal with the situation of African Americans, Du Bois's observations over seven decades embody a broad range of social issues. . . . This compilation by an emeritus black studies academician is recommended for race relations and intellectual history collections."—Library Journal

"Enhanced with an informative introduction, a list of references, and a comprehensive index, The World of W.E.B. Du Bois is highly recommended reading and an essential addition to academic library African-American Studies reference collections."—Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

Enhanced with an informative introduction, a list of references, and a comprehensive index, The World of W.E.B. Du Bois is highly recommended reading and an essential addition to academic library African-American Studies reference collections.

Midwest Book Review

Most valuable to students seeking to sample the wealth of ideas in Du Bois's vast body of writing. Scholars will also benefit by easily locating sources for Du Bois's views on an impressive variety of topics. Because Weinberg has drawn extensively from the unpublished writings of Du Bois, students and scholars alike will be exposed to sources that are not easily accessible otherwise.

Journal of American History